Newsroom

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Recently acquired Kia Fennell (1-0) made her first start of the NPF season at USSSA Pride Park and helped lead the Pride (6-12) to back-to-back wins for the first time this season.

Fennell worked 5.1 innings against the Akron Racers (14-9). She allowed five hits and two earned runs while striking out one.

The USSSA Pride loaded the bases in the first inning as Kelly Kretchman lead off the inning with a walk. Rookie Kristen Schnake then would follow with a single to right center, and Oli Keohohou would walk. Racers starter Brittany Weil (2-2) would walk two runs in during the first inning to give the Pride a 2-0 advantage.

In the 4th inning the Racers would get both runs back. With one out US Olympian Crystl Bustos would hit her 6th homerun of the season to right center field to cut the lead in half. Jamie Juarez would follow with a homerun over the left field fence to tie the game at two.

The USSSA Pride would continue to be alive in the bottom of the fourth as Rookie Breanne Javier who was 2 for 3 on the game lead off the inning with a single down the left field line. Pride catcher Callie Piper picked up her first hit of the season on a bunt single.

Kretschman’s RBI single to center would give the Pride their second lead of the night. The Pride would score 3 runs in the inning to take a 5 to 2 lead.

The Racers would lead off the 5th inning with Samantha Ricketts single to right field , but great defense by 2nd basemen Courtney Bures would lead to a double play to end the threat.

After the Pride added one more run in the bottom of the 5th inning the Racers would have a great opportunity to cut into USSSA’s lead in the 6th. Jackie Pasquerella would lead off the inning with a single, and a intentional walk to Bustos would place two on with one out.

Sarah Pauly would come in to close out the inning.

The Pride will continue at home in the 4th game of the series tomorrow night at 7:05 EST. Tickets are available at USSSAPride.com and a live stream is available at Profastpitch.com. Sunday’s final game of the series is scheduled for 3:05 EST.